The Unicorn and Joseph

The Bible mentions unicorns. Israelites are identified by a lion and a unicorn such as appears on the British coat of arms. The Scottish coat of arms depicts two unicorns. An analysis of Biblical passages, archaeological findings, Rabbinical and other sources, indicates that there once was a one-horned creature who gave rise to our image of the unicorn. Duration: 16.46 minutes

[The picture in question is taken from a reconstruction now on display at Beth Hatefutsoth, the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora in Tel Aviv. Ida Huberman, commented on this picture:

# The lion and the unicorn, painted opposite the bear and framed in a similar way, represent forces of great strength which reach a certain balance, thus making it possible for the forces of life and redemption to grow in them. These forces are symbolized by the Tree of Life. It is hard to tell whether the two animals, which possess supernatural strength, are embracing one another or wrestling. # The large, strong horn appears stuck in the lion's mouth, an image which calls to mind the blowing of the ram's horn. The blast of the horn is suggestive of victory, kingship and the coming of the Messiah. Living Symbols: Symbols in Jewish Art and Tradition, by Ida Huberman (Modan Publishers, 1996)http://jhom.com/topics/fantasy/hodorov.html

Ida was apparently was not aware of the pertinence of this picture to Ten Tribes lore in Jewish tradition. Alternately Ida did know of this but sought to reformulate the symbolism is terms of a more universalistic approach. Nevertheless, her interpretation may be seen as supplementing rather than contradicting our own. The forces of Judah and Joseph in this world both complement and struggle with each other. Reconciliation will come about in the End Times. ]

Elsewhere you state that the unicorn was the symbol of Manasseh whereas the bull or bull-calf represented Ephraim. How can the unicorn stand both for Manasseh and for the Ten Tribes in general?

2. The Biblical Source for the Tribal Symbols. The symbols are based mainly on a Midrash (quoted in full below) concerning the encampment around the Tabernacle. The Bible mentions the fact that each Tribe had its own symbolic emblem.

This is recalled in the Bible:Numbers 2: 2 The Israelites shall camp each in their respective regiments [Standard], under ensigns by their ancestral houses; they shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.

The expression translated as "each in their respective regiments" in Hebrew is "al digloy" i.e. according to his flag (or standard).

The words "under ensigns" in Hebrew is "be-Otot" i.e. by symbols. Each flag bore a particular symbolic picture.

S. R. Hirsch comments (Numbers 2:2):

A suitable symbol. that the tribe is recognized by. According to what is said in Midrash Rabah on this passage, the flag of each tribe was the same color as that of their stone in the Breast-Plate [of the High Priest]; in addition there was a symbol characterizing each tribe. The Midrash tells us that each tribe had its own particular symbol.

Each Tribe had its own standard. The Midrash says that the other nations learnt to use distinctive standards from the Israelites.Numbers 2: 17...they shall set out just as they camp, each in position, by their regiments.

The word translated as "by their regiments" in Hebrew is "lediglayhem" i.e. By their flags. Each Tribe had its own standard or flag.Numbers 2:3... the flag of Judah... the flag of Judah.... (2:10)... the flag of Reuben... etc.

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3. Each Tribal Group of Three ALSO had its Own Sign!

The Tribes were assembled around the Tabernacle in groups of three. Each group is named "machaneh" i.e. camp. Four camps of 3 each gives us 12 tribes. Ephraim and Manasseh were the tribes of Joseph but each was counted as a separated tribe. The Tribe of Levi was in the center and surrounded the Tabernacle from all 4 sides. This gives us 13 Tribes.

The camps of Three were each named after the leading Tribe in the group.

The Camp of Judah in the east (Numbers 2:3) consisted of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulon.

The Camp of Reuben in the south (Numbers 2:10) consisted of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad.

The Camp of Ephraim was in the west (Numbers 2:18). It consisted of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin.

The Camp of Dan was in the north (Numbers 2:25). It encompassed Dan, Asher, and Naphtali.

Iben Ezra (Numbers 2:2) quotes a source from the Sages to the effect that in addition to their individual symbols each Camp of three had a symbol of its own:

The Camp of Reuben was represented by the figure of a man. This was associated with the mandrakes that Reuben (Genesis 30:14) had brought to Lead his mother. The mandrakes apparently were a plant whose roots resembled a male figure.

[Be careful of testing roots etc said to possess enhancing qualities.An acquaintance of mine tasted a small portion of such a plant. I visited him in hospital afterwards. His system had collapsed. He recovered (Thank God) but for a while had been in serious danger.]

The Camp of Judah was a lion.

The Camp of Ephraim was a bull.

The Camp of Dan was a "nesher" which may be translated to mean either an eagle or a vulture.

These four signs parallel the faces of the Cherubim in the vision of Ezekiel.

cf.

Ezekiel 1:10 As for the appearance of their faces: the four had the face of a human being, the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and the face of an eagle.

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4. The Symbols of Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh

Joseph did not have his own marching group but was represented by his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.

Manasseh was represented by the unicorn, Ephraim by the bull.

The symbol of Joseph i.e. of Ephraim and Manasseh together, according to the Midrash was a picture representing Egypt, probably a pyramid, cf. the Great Seal of the USA. Joseph is also often represented by a sheaf of wheat. Manasseh and Ephraim are the sons of Joseph so the symbols of either in specific contexts can represent Joseph as well. In the picture you are referring to the Unicorn represents Joseph and the Lost Ten Tribes in general.

The word we translated as unicorn in Hebrew is RAEM. Sometimes this is translated as a wild bull or ox. There was a type of gigantic wild bovine known to the Assyrians as a rimu (or sakaea) and to the modern world as the auroch. Such beasts were still extant in Europe in the 1600s. It seems that a mutant branch of the auroch family would frequently generate specimens with only one horn, as deer sometimes do. This was one of the sources that gave rise to traditions concerning the unicorn. The unicorn is represented as a horse with one horn whereas the auroch belonged to the cattle family. This type of auroch however appears to have been slimmer and taller in the shoulder than the others, like some deer and horses are. When the species became extinct it was therefore depicted from memory more like a horse as indeed in profile form it resembled. See: Unicorns Did Exist!! http://www.britam.org/unicorn.html

In the Prophecy of Balaam concerning Israel in the End Times a lion and unicorn are mentioned.

Numbers 23: 22 God brings them out of Egypt; He has strength like a wild ox [RAEM i.e. unicorn]. .... 24 Look, a people rises like a lioness [Hebrew: LAVI (masculine) i.e. Great Lion as rendered in the KJV], And lifts itself up like a lion; It shall not lie down until it devours the prey, And drinks the blood of the slain.

This prophecy of Balaam may be referring to all Israel or to Israel as represented by the forces of Joseph. We identify Manasseh with the USA though the emblem of the UK is the one that depicts both a lion and a unicorn. We may sum up by saying that the lion and unicorn together represent the forces of all Israel with an especial emphasis on Judah and Joseph.

Midrash Numbers Rabah: BaMidbar 2;7: ensign: Each Tribe had its own sign and color on its standard. The color was the same as that of the Tribe's precious stone [on the Ephod on the heart of Aaron]. Reuben had the Odem stone [in Hebrew "Odem" means red] and his flag was red. Dudaim [mandrakes] were depicted on it. Shimeon had the Pitda stone, his flag was colored green and depicted the city of Schechem. Levi had the bareket stone and his flag was one third white, one third black, one third red. The Urim and Tummin were depicted on it. Judah had the Nophech stone, the color of his flag was like the sky. It depicted a lion. Issachar had the sapir stone, it depicted the sun and moon, as it says "AND OF THE CHILDREN OF ISSACHAR, WHICH WERE MEN THAT HAD UNDERSTANDING OF THE TIMES" [1-Chronicles 12:32]. Zebulon had the Yeholam [diamond] stone. His flag was whitish and a ship was depicted on it as it says, "Zebulon shall dwell on the beaches of the sea" (Genesis 49;13). Dan had the Leshem stone, The color of his flag was like a sapphire and it depicted a snake as it says Dan shall be a snake by the wayside (Genesis 49:17). Gad had the Shevo stone. The color of his flag was not white and not black but mixed black and white. It depicted an encampment, as it says GAD SHALL BE A TROOP: BUT HE SHALL OVERCOME AT THE LAST. Naphtali had the Achlama stone. The color of his flag was like clear wine, reddish but not strongly so. A hind was depicted on it, as it says NAPHTALI IS A HIND LET LOOSE: HE GIVETH GOODLY WORDS [GENESIS 49:21]. Asher had the Tarshish stone. The color of his flag was like that of the precious stone women use to decorate themselves. An olive tree was depicted on it: OUT OF ASHER HIS BREAD SHALL BE FAT, AND HE SHALL YIELD ROYAL DAINTIES [GENESIS 49:20]. Joseph had the Shoham stone. The color of his flag was the deepest black. On the flag of Joseph for the two princes of Ephraim and Manasseh was depicted a representation of Egypt since their origins were in Egypt. On the flag of Ephraim was depicted a bull: "HIS GLORY IS LIKE THE FIRSTLING OF HIS BULLOCK" [DEUTERONOMY 33:17]. This was exemplified by Joshua who was from the Tribe of Ephraim. On the flag of Menasseh was depicted a Raem [Unicorn] as it says: AND HIS HORNS ARE LIKE THE HORNS OF UNICORNS [DEUTERONOMY 33:17]. This was exemplified by Gideon who was from Menasseh.

[The complete verse says: [DEUTERONOMY 33:17] HIS GLORY IS LIKE THE FIRSTLING OF HIS BULLOCK, AND HIS HORNS ARE LIKE THE HORNS OF UNICORNS: WITH THEM HE SHALL PUSH THE PEOPLE TOGETHER TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: AND THEY ARE THE TEN THOUSANDS OF EPHRAIM, AND THEY ARE THE THOUSANDS OF MANASSEH.

Benjamin had the Yaspa stone. The color of his flag was like all the 12 colors. A wolf was depicted on it: [GENESIS 49:27] BENJAMIN SHALL RAVIN AS A WOLF: IN THE MORNING HE SHALL DEVOUR THE PREY, AND AT NIGHT HE SHALL DIVIDE THE SPOIL.

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The "KHAZARS" were a semi-nomadic people who became prominent in southern Russia and its neighborhood in the 600s to 900s CE. They were quite powerful with a far-reaching influence and well-developed civilization.

The Blessings in the Bible given to the Children of Israel were epitomized most strongly in the Tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim dominates Britain and her daughters, Manasseh is pre-eminent in the USA.

Chosen People
The Ancient Celts and related peoples referred to themselves as Hebrews.The inhabitants of Britain pertained mainly to clans belonging to Joseph. The Jews need to believe in the God of Israel and keep the Torah.